​Nonprofit Training and Consulting

Every year we receive many inquiries from nonprofit organizations asking how they can get access to the labor power and brainpower of students who are enrolled in our nonprofit master's program. Since most of our students work in full time management positions, they are unable to serve as student interns. However, their course work requires them to complete a wide-range of applied projects with nonprofit corporations.

FREE PRODUCTS include the creation or revision of corporate by-laws, personnel policies, volunteer manuals, board manuals, fundraising plans, financial management systems plans and information technology plans. The creation of these products is subject to the availability of students, and, since many see the need to develop a product for their own nonprofit corporation, these opportunities are limited. If you are interested in having a student work on a pro bono product, please contact the appropriate faculty member. View the contact and services list.

AFFORDABLY-PRICED FEE-FOR-SERVICE PRODUCTS include professional quality Capital and Endowment Campaign Feasibility Studies, Strategic Planning Research and Research Design and Evaluation. As the cost of these products on the open market range from $15,000 for Strategic Plans up to $70,000 for Capital Campaign and Business Plan Feasibility Studies, we ask nonprofit client organizations to contribute $5,000 (when possible) in exchange for the work performed (a defined set of deliverables is listed on each of the attached Request for Proposals). The funding we receive is used to underwrite program scholarships. If you are interested in this option, please fill out one of the Request for Proposal applications by clicking on one of the links below.

What previous community practice fee-for-service clients have said about us:

"Everyone [Board Members] was extremely impressed by the level of detail and effort that went into creating it [board manual], and felt it provided our organization with a degree of professionalism that hadn't before existed. We are approving the policies monthly (2-3 at a time) and we have almost adopted all of them!"- Paloma Patterson, Executive Director, The Malashock Dance School

"We have been thrilled and most importantly, changed by the activities and input of your team. The readiness assessment was accurate, informative and constructive. The model letter of inquiry is just that - a perfect model and one we have already used repeatedly. The organizational case statement was powerful and inspiring to us...as I am sure it will be to others."- William Toone, Director, ECOLIFE Foundation

"The students from the USD program did an outstanding job assessing our donor base, staff and trustees. They gathered key information through face-to-face interviews and detailed surveys that will be invaluable for our upcoming endowment campaign. I would highly recommend engaging the students for your nonprofit's strategic planning and capital/endowment campaign needs."- Christopher Kozo, Treasurer, Museum of Photographic Arts

"Such a wonderful experience! The Foundation for Women was very blessed to have two students from the strategic planning class with us for the spring semester 2006. Their most thorough and professional review of our strategic position internally and within the larger nonprofit community was of invaluable assistance for our future planning and work."-Deborah Lindholm, Founder/Executive Director, Foundation for Women

"The document certainly surpasses my expectations of completeness and professionalism. You have not only provided us with a detailed analysis of our organization, but have given us very valid recommendations as to what we must do to achieve our goals."- Donald J. Fulham, Major General USMW (Ret), President, MCRD Museum Historical Society commenting on a Capital Campaign Feasibility Study conducted by USD Nonprofit Students

We are happy to answer any questions you have regarding the USD Nonprofit Leadership and Management Program and the opportunities it affords your organization.